Chinese cuisine that comes with a smile

With his first anniversary of as suming ownership of Royal Palace Chinese Restaurant right around the corner, Jin He Wu is giving customers something to celebrate: 10 percent off everything (except special menu items) until Nov. 15.

Wu took over Royal Palace after it had been part of the Aiea community for more than two decades, and he has made a great first impression thus far. What’s even better is that he creates all of his Hong Kong-style and Cantonese dishes with a bright smile on his face.

Chicken Sour Cabbage offers a choice of pork or beef, which is marinated in sweet and sour sauce that’ll leave the best kind of tangy flavor lingering in your mouth. The meat is served on top of sour cabbage with a mix of green and red bell peppers, onions, garlic and ginger.

Next, Shrimp with Butter Sauce is exactly how it sounds: stir-fried shrimp swimming in a glorious mix of butter and garlic. This meal is simple, yet full of flavor, and a customer favorite.

Waitress Stella Luo recommends trying Pei Pa Tofu on a Bed of Fresh Lettuce, her personal favorite. In the dish, deep-fried tofu is mixed with minced shrimp, oyster sauce and veggies.

“This one is hard to make at home, so I love eating it (at Royal Palace),” says Luo.

Wu and Luo have been best friends for more than 10 years. They have been working together since he first moved to Hawaii in 1997, and according to Luo, Wu is a wonderful cook.

“It’s not easy to find a Chinese chef that can make really good food,” she says.

In addition to great food and service with a smile, the eatery offers a big dining room — perfect for your upcoming holiday parties — and daily lunch specials. Every day, customers may feast on buffet items for lunch and dinner. For instance, enjoy two entrees such as Char Siu Fried Rice and Mixed Vegetable Chow Mein for only $6.95 (from 2 to 4:30 p.m.).

Royal Palace Chinese Restaurant

Stadium Mall
4510 Salt Lake Blvd., Ste. C1, Aiea
487-6662
Daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.